Most Important Skills
What three skills help you the most in carrying out your pastoral ministry? How do they help you, and to what degree did you feel gifted in these three areas, and how much did you have to work to acquire and or develop them?
Don’t Dam It by Virgil Stokes
Virgil Stokes is a Pastor and Teacher, serving churches since 1980 in Oklahoma, New York, and Arizona. He and his wife, Judy, pioneered Faith Christian Fellowship of Tucson in 2004. Prior to entering ministry Virgil worked as a Registered Nurse in the field of mental health and addictions treatment. A recovering addict himself, Virgil has written and spoken extensively on Christian recovery. He is the author of several books, and is the founder of Faith Ministry Training Institute, a training program empowering local pastors to equip ministers in their own churches. Pastor Virgil is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Rhema Bible Training Center. His passion is getting people out of the pews and into the harvest.
This year, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “I’m turnin’ it up!” He is going to do more of what He loves to do. The Spirit of God will be moving in the earth in a greater way. Whatever He called you to do, you will have a greater capacity to do it! As I meditated on this concept, the Lord pointed out to me that water, in this case the river of His healing power, always flows to the place of least resistance. I don’t know about you, but I want our church to be a place of least resistance to the flow, a stream without dams. I have been doing this a long time now, and I know there are some things that hinder or resist the move of the Spirit of God in a church. Here are six blockages that we are determined to remove:
Strife: You can feel it in the atmosphere when you walk in the room. It’s not just disagreement. We never all agree about everything. It is an angry, defensive, prideful attitude about the disagreement that poisons the atmosphere. Give up your need to be infallible. It takes two to strive. Resign from the debate.
Rebellion: This is the ugly sister of strife. The rebel reflexively resists authority, believing himself to have a greater insight than the one set over him. When I am under authority I can flow with what my leader wants, as long as it is not sinful, and keep a respectful, loving attitude, even if it is not what I would do in that situation. If asked, I can make respectful suggestions, not unsolicited demands.
Tradition: “This is not the way we used to do it” will stop the Spirit every time. Sometimes our traditions are so powerful that they blind us entirely to what God is doing in the moment. Anything the Bible doesn’t specifically prescribe can be changed to fit the situation and the on-the-spot leading of the Spirit: song choices, service order, altar practices, seating arrangements, carpet colors, you name it. Don’t get blinded by how we used to do it. He makes all things new!
People-pleasing: We might call this “fear of man.” The moment I run the leading of God through the filter of “What will they think of me?” I have quenched the flow. We stifle the Spirit of God because we don’t want other people to think we are foolish. Get over yourself and obey God!
Indifference: This one is almost exclusive property of Christians who have been around the things of God for a long time. They have become bored with God. They despise prophecies, stand limp during worship, and never open their Bible during a message. They have seen and heard it all. The Holy Ghost is a gentleman who will never bother them with His manifest presence.
Human ambition: This is the problem we face when we get carried away with the human measures of success. I want to draw a crowd so I can be esteemed as important in the community, be a big shot in my organization, and increase my financial well-being. These motivations lead me to do things that cater to people’s “felt needs” rather than things that challenge believers and convict sinners. The two are sometimes not compatible.
Somebody Said: “The root-trouble of the present distress is that the Church has more faith in the world and the flesh than in the Holy Ghost, and things will get no better till we get back to His realized presence and power.” Samuel Chadwick
The service of God and the expansion of His Kingdom are both possible only by the power of the Holy Spirit. To dam the flow of the Spirit is to effectively fight against God. Lord, help me not to dam it.
Five Vital Steps in Planning for Retirement by Dr. Dan Beller
Five Vital Steps in Planning for Retirement
Dr. Dan Beller
Click here to read Dr. Beller’s bio.
Tony writes: Of retirement, D. Elton Trueblood said, “For the Christian, retirement is really liberation for service. The retired person may start a wholly new chapter rather than do nothing. The Christian philosophy of work is one which never ends.”[1]
I didn’t want to say a lot about retirement, because I’ve never been retired. However, I believe it’s very important to learn from those who have traveled the road ahead of us. So I’ve asked a great friend who retired several years ago from pastoring to share how he prepared himself for that transition and how he’s managing life during retirement. I believe his advice can be of great benefit in helping younger people plan and prepare wisely.
From 1980-1983, I was an assistant pastor on the staff of Dr. Dan Beller at Evangelistic Temple in Tulsa. Pastor Beller resigned in 2001 after 34 years of service, but has continued to live and serve vibrantly since that time. I asked him to share some of the decisions he made before retiring. While his remarks (at my request) are specifically targeted toward pastors, I believe the principles can apply to everyone.
Dr. Beller writes: For a Pastor, the word retirement is a misnomer because we never really retire from doing some kind of ministry (serving others). However, there are definite adjustments which must be made from “full time ministry” to “retirement ministry.” Your personal ministry continues in various ways as follows:
- There is always someone to whom you can minister and be a witness.
- Your personal study must continue because the educational process is a lifetime experience.
- There are occasions when you will be invited to speak at churches and participate in weddings, funerals, and various other events.
In the Proverbs 6:6-8, we are exhorted to be wise like the ant because it gathers food during the harvest (your productive years) and stores it up for the difficult times after the harvest (after your productive years). As a retired pastor, I can say from experience that it is vital to save resources and be prepared for the retirement years. Some of the areas of preparation are as follows:
1. Prepare yourself spiritually.
Most of us identify too much with what we do instead of who we are. This is why some pastors lack a good self-image in retirement. It is therefore important to develop new areas of interest for the retirement years. My recommendations are as follows:
- Continue to study the Bible and relevant materials. Never stop learning.
- Continue your early morning prayer life, or at other times if you prefer. The first objective in prayer is to maintain your close relationship with God instead of just getting help for your ministry.
- Pray for the active pastors and assist them whenever possible.
- Continue to minister in public and private whenever there is a need.
- Continue formal studies through the programs of your Church Association/Fellowship or online or at a local College or University.
2. Prepare yourself financially.
Zig Ziglar stated, “Money is not the most important thing but it is next to oxygen.” Inadequate retirement income can lead to a lower lifestyle and disappointment. Social Security income is only a supplement to your retirement income and is inadequate for your full support. I recommend the following:
- Be faithful in giving the Lord’s tithes all of your life. Tithing is a pre-requisite to financial blessings.
- While you are still pastoring, arrange for your local Church to appropriate a housing allowance so that you can own your own home by retirement. Also, set up an expense account for the senior pastor for church related car expense, travel, church-related meals, etc.
- If your Church Association/Fellowship has a group retirement plan (like a 403(b) or Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA)), arrange for your church to make regular contributions on your behalf.
- Make annual contributions to a tax-deferred IRA; there are a few types to choose from. A trusted, qualified financial advisor can assist you in finding the instrument that is best for you.
- Pay off all debts before retirement. Example – You can save thousands of dollars in interest on the mortgage of your home by making extra principal payments each month. The principal payments, especially at the beginning of a home loan, are usually surprisingly low. Much of the payment is interest. Avoid credit card debt because the interest is extremely high and if you do have credit card debt, pay it off first.
- It is imperative to start early in saving for retirement and do not spend all you make in the productive years. A wealthy man told me his philosophy – “You can have it now or you can have it later.” There are many practical ways to save and make some of your income available for retirement savings, as follows:
- Save by shopping for quality items at a reduced price or by shopping online or being aware of sales and rebates at local stores.
- Save by not eating out as much or buying that expensive coffee or snack, etc.
- Use credit card which gives rebates and has no annual fee.
3. Prepare yourself emotionally.
Develop a variety of new interests. The 24/7 schedule of a pastor often precludes time for leisure and other interests. Without these interests, a person can feel idle and unproductive. It is therefore important to develop a variety of interests such as hobbies, sports, recreational reading, attending concerts, and other events, etc.
Adjustments in home and marriage – Discuss with your spouse what you mutually want or do not want in retirement. The spouse has been accustomed to the pastor being gone so much that his being home more than usual can cause friction.
Solutions may include spending time in an office at home or at a local church, volunteer service outside the home, golf or other sporting events, etc.
Conversely, it is important to be of help to your spouse to make up for the lack of time which was given when the schedule was so busy. Also, spending some private time together or going out to dinner occasionally may be a welcome blessing.
A healthy self-image must be maintained by realizing who you are in Christ instead of judging yourself by what you do. It is good to remember that we are saved through grace, by faith, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
It is important to feel that you are retiring to something instead of retiring from something. One example is to do volunteer work in a local church, hospital, community or civic organizations, etc.
If the pastoral couple enjoys travel, there should be some advanced planning for trips together.
4. Prepare yourself physically, health-wise.
Retirement does not mean that you sit down and become inactive but there must be maintenance of mental and physical health.
- Remain active in doing regular physical exercises such as joining a local health club, golfing, walking in your neighborhood, having a treadmill in your home, etc.
- Maintain a healthy diet with vitamins and supplements.
- Keep your mind and thoughts healthy and positive.
5. Prepare your successor.
In addition to providing quality ministry during your active years of pastoring, one of the most important things you can do is to help secure the long-term success of the church by preparing not only your successor, but also helping raise up a strong ministry team that can work together in leading the church when you step away.
Even though I had a long tenure as pastor (34 years), I was always mindful that someday, someone other than me would be filling the role of senior pastor. I felt it was my responsibility to do everything I could to help mold, shape, and train the one was then the future leader of the church. While my long-term associate eventually did take my place, it was with the consensus of the board of the church and the congregation as well.
Closing Observation – The years a Pastor spends in retirement often equal one half or more of the years spent in active ministry. It is important, therefore, to realize that retirement is a very significant era in your life. It can be quite fulfilling and enjoyable if you make proper preparation and maintain a positive attitude.
[1] Editor Carl F.H. Henry, Baker’s Dictionary of Christian Ethics, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1973, Page 715.
Own the Mercy! by Lisa Cooke
Matthew Henry’s commentary on Philippians 4:2-9 had this portion that caught my eye today as I was studying. He says, “We must join thanksgiving with prayers and supplications; not only seek supplies of good, but own the mercies we have received.” …read more
Resurrection: Past, Present, Future by Tony Cooke
Resurrection: Past, Present, Future
Tony Cooke
No, I’m not confused about what month it is. I know that Easter is not until next month. I believe, though, it’s important that we not only think about resurrection when Easter comes around. I wonder how many believers appreciate all the ramifications of resurrection, and recognize its multi-dimensional influence in our lives.
Our word resurrection is from the Greek word anastasis, which means a rising again, a resurrection from death, raised to life again, to stand up again, raising up. While it’s important to know the meaning of the word, it’s just as important to understand the diversity of how resurrection applies in our lives. When people celebrate Easter, their primary focus (and rightfully so) is on the past, when Jesus was resurrected. However, we will miss much if we neglect the present and future aspects and applications of resurrection.
Resurrection is:
- An historical fact to be celebrated
- A current reality to be experienced
- A future event to be anticipated
Let’s look at each of these.
1. Resurrection is an historical fact to be celebrated.
The culmination and crescendo of each of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Paul, the resurrection is of first importance. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…”
The doctrine of the resurrection is absolutely central to the Christian faith. If the resurrection of Jesus is not totally true, then everything in the Bible and in the life of Jesus that precedes it (Genesis through the end of the Gospel Accounts) and everything that follows it (The Book of Acts through the Book of Revelation) is absolutely meaningless.
Of what are considered the great faiths or religions of the world, Christianity alone stakes its entire claim and bases its entire existence on the Resurrection of its Founder; nothing more, nothing less. Christianity is not based on a set of ideas, creeds, morals, beliefs, lifestyle, discipline, or practices. Christianity may produce some of those things, but genuine, biblical Christianity is based entirely and squarely on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:4 says that Jesus was, “…declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” His resurrection is the basis for all of our hope! Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19).
2. Resurrection is a current reality to be experienced.
Most believers recognize and celebrate the past resurrection of Christ, and most are also aware of the future resurrection spoken of in Scripture, but I’m not sure how many Christians realize that there is an aspect of resurrection power that is available to us all at this very moment. What we can experience now is not the full-blown resurrection of receiving new, glorified bodies, but rather, what we might call (using the words of the old song), “a foretaste of glory divine.” Consider the on-going, day-to-day, moment-by-moment resurrection power that Paul said we could all experience:
10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from his resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
– Philippians 3:10-11 (Amplified)
There is what we could call a “resurrection power” that is available to us right now. Paul said that “…we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.” (Romans 8:23, NLT). We’ll get brand new, resurrected bodies in the future, but right now we have, as Paul said, “a foretaste of future glory.”
Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we get to walk in the newness of life right now! We are new creatures in Christ because of His power that has worked and does work in us. We don’t have to wait until heaven to walk in the newness of life!
Though we don’t receive the full dose of resurrection power now, we do have the “foretaste” of His glorious power that has made alive our spirits, comforts and strengthens our souls, and can even quicken our mortal bodies. A great illustration of this is shared by Kenneth Hagin. Having been bedfast for 16 months, he received his healing, and then, after only a couple of months he got a job pulling two-year old peach trees.
He wrote (in “Exceedingly Growing Faith”), “Each morning before sunup we would meet, and every day some of the boys would say, ‘Well, I didn’t think you’d make it today. You know, two or three quit yesterday.’ Even as a young man, Brother Hagin responded, ‘If it weren’t for the Lord I wouldn’t be here, I would answer, for you see, His strength is my strength. The Bible says, The Lord is the strength of my life.’” He also related, “Now, if I had gone by my feelings I would never have gotten out of bed! I was never so weak in my life. I felt as if I couldn’t do it. But I stayed with it. I acted upon the Word because I knew what faith was.”
Brother Hagin ended his testimony about his early work experience saying, “When we began to work each morning I wouldn’t have any strength, but when we started on the first tree (or sometimes the second) I would feel something hit me in the top of my head. It would go through my body, out the ends of my fingers, and out the ends of my toes. Then I would work all day long like a Trojan.” Finally, he said, “In the natural I was the weakest and the skinniest, but I was the only man left of the original crew. I had proved God’s Word.” Resurrection power can make us stand right now! Resurrection power can lift our spirits, encourage our souls, and bring life and strength to our mortal bodies!
3. Resurrection is a future event to be anticipated.
We could never praise God enough for the resurrection of Christ and the eternal life His resurrection has made available to us. But we must remember that what Jesus did in His past speaks volumes about what will occur in our future!
Even in the Old Testament, a future resurrection was perceived and prophesied.
- Daniel 12:2 (NLT) says, “Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.”
- Even Job recognized and proclaimed resurrection. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26).
- Isaiah 26:19 (NLT) says, “But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!”
And of course, the New Testament is loaded with powerful promises about our future resurrection. For example, “…the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29).
“And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead” (1 Corinthians 6:14, NLT). Paul went on to say, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… (1 Corinthians 15:20) and shortly after wrote, “…each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:23). In other words, our future resurrection is based on His past resurrection. He is the firstfruits or the prototype for our future.
“…our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…” (Philippians 3:20-21).
The future resurrection we will experience not only gives us hope for the future, but conveys to us the great value that God places upon our bodies. Unlike the Greeks, Jesus and Paul did not perceive the body as an evil prison from which our primary aspiration is to escape. We belong to God—every part of us! Paul said, “…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Because our bodies belong to God, and because God’s claim on our bodies extends into eternity, what we do with our bodies now is significant. This is why Paul told believers to, “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…” (Romans 12:1).
Resurrection is what happens when the life of God touches and influences everything else. Resurrection is an historical fact to be celebrated, a current reality to be experienced, and a future event to be anticipated. Make sure that you are celebrating, experiencing, and anticipating God’s life to the fullest.
Resurrection: Past, Present, Future
No, I’m not confused about what month it is. I know that Easter is not until next month. I believe, though, it’s important that we not only think about resurrection when Easter comes around. I wonder how many believers appreciate all the ramifications of resurrection, and recognize its multi-dimensional influence in our lives. …read more
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